Begins as a thought-provoking criticism of the goal of eradicating pain from society (See Brave New World or Wall-E), but then seems to jump off the cliff of reason and dive into support of the extreme opposite - a fascistic system where human beings are treated as objects of death. Is it obvious only with hindsight that there's a middle way? It's hard to imagine. My rating is mostly for the former part, as that's what will stay with me. The rest is historically interesting though, documenting an influential branch of extremist thought between the wars.

Ernst Junger is the true Modern Age's Skald, and this essay shows it. He reveals to you a the type of man you have to be to survive when the world around you is at peak acceleration, with all its ugliness and limpness.

The gears of war have broken off the machine and are now tumbling downhill! There is no use trying to dodge out of the way. You must brace for impact! Maybe your scars can impress a woman.

*chef kiss*

I personally disagreed with many points made by Junger, but gave 5 stars to remain objective. Can’t argue with the quality of the arguments he makes.

An excellent essay by Jünger, which remains very relevant today. Originally published 1934, between both World Wars, Jünger already reflects on the influences of technology on human lives, driving people more detached and indifferent to the pain of others.
Another concept that I found particularly interesting was the idea of a second consciousness, or the ability to see the human as an object. Both ideas can be perfectly summarized in the quote

We saw that man is able to resist the assault of pain to the degree that he is capable of self-detachment.

The major problem I had with this particular edition was the introduction by Russell A. Berman, an American teacher of German studies and Comparative Literature at the Stanford University. Basically, on the basis of this essay by Jünger, Berman compares Nazism with Islamism. I’d say it’s because of quotes such as

We also see the individual ever more clearly fall into a state where he can be sacrificed without a second thought.,

and because this edition was published in the aftermath of the attacks on World Trade Center and right in the middle of the war on Iraq (Operation Enduring Freedom). A bit of a stretch, though, since Bush also didn’t seem to have much of a problem sending so many American soldiers into Afghan ground who also fell on the battlefield, both dead or wounded. Anyway, I digress.

Finally, I’d say this essay would probably be a good pairing to read along with the writings by Hannah Arendt.